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NEW DELHI: Led by Sanju Samson (89), defending champions India national cricket team produced a breathtaking batting display to pile up a massive 255 for five against the New Zealand national cricket team in the Ahmedabad 2026 final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on Sunday.

After New Zealand opted to bowl first at the Narendra Modi Stadium, their bowlers were left searching for answers as India’s top order launched a brutal assault right from the start.

Samson, Abhishek tear into Kiwi attack

Samson and Abhishek Sharma (52) went on the offensive from the word go, smashing boundaries all around the ground. The duo showed little respect for the Kiwi attack, peppering the stadium with towering sixes and crisp fours.

Their aggressive intent resulted in a blazing 98 run partnership in just 7.1 overs, giving India the perfect platform in the high stakes Ahmedabad 2026 final.

Kishan continues the momentum

After Abhishek’s dismissal, Ishan Kishan carried the momentum forward with another explosive innings. The left hander hammered 54 off just 25 balls, ensuring that the pressure remained firmly on New Zealand.

Batting with complete authority and fearless intent, India raced past the 200 run mark in only 15 overs, leaving the opposition struggling to regain control in the Ahmedabad 2026 final.

Neesham’s brief comeback

Just when it seemed like India would run away with the game entirely, James Neesham produced a dramatic over to slow things down.

The Kiwi pacer dismissed Samson, Kishan and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (0) within six deliveries in the 16th over, briefly putting the brakes on India’s scoring spree.

Dube provides late flourish

Hardik Pandya (18) did not last long, but Shivam Dube ensured India finished strongly.

Dube smashed an unbeaten 26, including a blistering assault on Neesham in the final over which produced 24 runs, helping India collect 52 runs in the last five overs of final.

The final tally of 255/5 turned out to be the highest ever total in a T20 World Cup final, underlining India’s dominance with the bat.

Records tumble in Final

Most 250-plus totals in Men’s T20s

  • India — 7
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad — 5
  • West Indies — 3
  • Zimbabwe — 3
  • Surrey — 3

Highest team totals in T20 World Cup

  • Sri Lanka vs Kenya, Johannesburg — 260/6 (2007)
  • India vs Zimbabwe, Chennai — 256/4 (2026)
  • India vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad — 255/5 (Ahmedabad 2026 final)
  • West Indies vs Zimbabwe, Mumbai WS — 254/6 (2026)
  • India vs England, Mumbai WS — 253/7 (2026 SF)
  • England vs India, Mumbai WS — 246/7 (2026 SF)

Most sixes in a T20 World Cup innings

  • Netherlands vs Ireland, Sylhet — 19 (2014)
  • West Indies vs Zimbabwe, Mumbai WS — 19 (2026)
  • India vs England, Mumbai WS — 19 (2026 SF)
  • India vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad — 18 (Ahmedabad 2026 final)
  • India vs Zimbabwe, Chennai — 17 (2026)

Highest boundary count in a team innings in T20 World Cup

  • Sri Lanka vs Kenya, Johannesburg — 41 (2007)
  • India vs England, Mumbai WS — 37 (2026 SF)
  • India vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad — 37 (Ahmedabad 2026 final)
  • England vs India, Mumbai WS — 36 (2026 SF)